2004 Acura TL catalytic converter

This shows the temperature of the
engine’s coolant. During normal
operation, the pointer should rise to
about the middle of the gauge. In
severe driving conditions, the pointer
may rise to the upper zone. If it
reaches the red (Hot) mark, pull
safely to the side of the road. Turn to
page f or instructions and
precautions on checking the engine’s
cooling system.
This shows how much f uel you have.
It may show slightly more or less
than the actual amount. The needle
returns to the bottom after you turn
of f the ignition.240
Gauges
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Temperature Gauge
Fuel Gauge
57
FUEL GAUGE
TEMPERATURE GAUGE
SPEEDOMETER
TACHOMETER
Avoid driving with an extremely low
f uel level. Running out of f uel could
cause the engine to misf ire, damaging
the catalytic converter.

Always use the parking brake when
you park your vehicle. Make sure
the parking brake is set f irmly or
your vehicle may roll if it is parked
on an incline.
If your vehicle has an automatic
transmission, set the parking brake
bef ore you put the transmission in
Park. This keeps the vehicle f rom
moving and putting pressure on the
parking mechanism in the
transmission.Make sure the moonroof and the
windows are closed.
Turn of f the lights.
Place any packages, valuables, etc.,
in the trunk or take them with you. Never park over dry leaves, tall
grass, or other f lammable
materials. The hot three way
catalytic converter could cause
these materials to catch on fire.
If the vehicle is f acing uphill, turn
the f ront wheels away f rom the
curb. If you have a manual
transmission, put it in f irst gear.
If the vehicle is f acing downhill,
turn the front wheels toward the
curb. If you have a manual
transmission, put it in reverse gear.
Make sure the parking brake is
f ully released bef ore driving away.
Driving with the parking brake
partially set can overheat or
damage the rear brakes.
Lock the doors.
Parking T ips
Parking
Driving187

Thediagramsinthissectiongive
you the dimensions and capacities of
your Acura, and the locations of the
identif ication numbers. It also
includes inf ormation you should
know about your vehicle’s tires and
emissions control systems.................
Identif ication Numbers . 254
................................
Specif ications .256
DOT Tire Quality Grading ......................
(U.S. Vehicles) .258
.................................
Treadwear .258
......................................
Traction .258
.............................
Temperature .259
.................................
Tire Labeling .259 .......................
Emissions Controls .260
.....................
The Clean Air Act .260
Crankcase Emissions Control ....................................
System .260
Evaporative Emissions Control ....................................
System .260
Onboard Ref ueling Vapor ................................
Recovery .260
...
Exhaust Emissions Controls . 261
....................
PGM-FI System .261
Ignition Timing Control ................................
System .261
Exhaust Gas Recirculation ...................
(EGR) System . 261
Three Way Catalytic ...........................
Converter .261
....................
Replacement Parts . 261
..
Three Way Catalytic Converter . 262
..............
State Emissions Testing . 263
T echnical Inf ormat ion
T echnical Inf ormation253

The exhaust emissions controls
include f our systems: PGM-FI,
Ignition Timing Control, Exhaust
Gas Recirculation and Three Way
Catalytic Converter. These four
systems work together to control the
engine’s combustion and minimize
the amount of HC, CO, and NOx that
comes out the tailpipe. The exhaust
emissions control systems are
separate f rom the crankcase and
evaporative emissions control
systems.
The PGM-FI System uses sequential
multiport f uel injection.
It has three subsystems: Air Intake,
Engine Control, and Fuel Control.
The Powertrain Control Module
(PCM) uses various sensors to
determine how much air is going
into the engine. It then controls how
much f uel to inject under all
operating conditions.This system constantly adjusts the
ignition timing, reducing the amount
of HC, CO, and NOx produced.
The Exhaust Gas Recirculation
(EGR) system takes some of the
exhaust gas and routes it back into
the intake manif old. Adding exhaust
gas to the air/f uel mixture reduces
the amount of NOx produced when
the f uel is burned.
The three way catalytic converter is
in the exhaust system. Through
chemical reactions, it converts HC,
CO, and NOx in the engine’s exhaust
to carbon dioxide (CO ), nitrogen
(N ), and water vapor.
The emissions control systems are
designed and certif ied to work
together in reducing emissions to
levels that comply with the Clean Air
Act. To make sure the emissions
remain low, you should use only new
Acura replacement parts or their
equivalent f or repairs. Using lower
qualitypartsmayincreasethe
emissions f rom your vehicle.
The emissions control systems are
covered by warranties separate from
the rest of your vehicle. Read your
warranty manual f or more informa-
tion.
2
2
Emissions Cont rols
T echnical Inf ormation
Exhaust Emissions Controls Replacement Parts
PGM-FI Syst emIgnit ion T iming Cont rol Syst em
Exhaust Gas Recirculat ion (EGR)Syst em
Three Way Catalytic Converter
261

The three way catalytic converter
contains platinum, palladium, and
rhodium. These metals serve as
catalysts, promoting chemical
reactions to convert the exhaust
gasses without af f ecting the metals.
The catalytic converter is ref erred to
as a three-way catalyst, since it acts
on HC, CO, and NOx. A replacement
unit must be an original Acura part
or its equivalent.
The three way catalytic converter
must operate at a high temperature
for the chemical reactions to take
place. It can set on f ire any com-
bustible materials that come near it.
Parkyourvehicleawayfromhigh
grass, dry leaves, or other f lamma-
bles.A defective three way catalytic
converter contributes to air pollution,
and can impair your engine’s per-
f ormance. Follow these guidelines to
protect your vehicle’s three way
catalytic converter.
Always use unleaded gasoline.
Even a small amount of leaded
gasoline can contaminate the
catalyst metals, making the three
way catalytic converter inef f ective. Have your vehicle diagnosed and
repaired if it is misf iring, back-
f iring, stalling, or otherwise not
running properly. Keep the engine tuned-up.
Three Way Catalytic Converter
T echnical Inf ormation262
THREE WAY CATALYTIC CONVERTER
THREE WAY CATALYTIC CONVERTER

Î
CONT INUED
.....................................
Tachometer .57
.
Taking Care of the Unexpected . 229
....................................
Tape Player .136
Technical Descriptions ......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 258
.....
Emissions Control Systems . 260
Three Way Catalytic ...............................
Converter .262
.......................
Temperature Gauge .57
....................
Temperature, Outside . 63
........
Temperature, Inside Sensor . 116
..............
Tether Anchorage Points . 41
..
Three Way Catalytic Converter . 262
..................
Tilt the Steering Wheel . 78
..........................
Time, Setting the .103
.....................................
Cleaning .218
................
Lap/Shoulder Belt . 14,19
................................
Maintenance .21
Reminder Light and ................................
Beeper .19, 52
...................
System Components . 19
...............
Use During Pregnancy . 17
....................................
Seat Heaters .96
........................
Seats, Adjusting the .90
............................
Security System .141
........
Sequential SportShif t Mode . 183
...............................
Serial Number .254
...........................
Service Intervals .195
...........................
Service Manual .269
.........
Service Station Procedures . 165
..........................
Setting the Clock .103
.....
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 181
........................
Shif t Lock Release .185
...........................................
Shif ting .181
................................
Side Airbags .9 ,25
........
Side Airbag Of f Indicator . 27,53
......................
Side Curtain Airbags .26
...............................
Signaling Turns .74
.....................................
Snow Tires .225
................................
Sound System .117 Spare Tire
......................................
Inf lating .230
............................
Specif ications .257
....................
Specif ications Charts . 256
................................
Speed Control .142
..........
SRS, Additional Inf ormation . 33
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 28
....................
Airbag Components . 22
.............................
Airbag Service .28
How the SRS Indicator .......................................
Works .26
How Your Front Airbags .........................................
Work .23
...
How Your Side Airbags Work . 25
How Your Side Curtain Airbags .........................................
Work .26
.............................
SRS Indicator .26 ,53
....
START (Ignition Key Position) . 80
.......................
Starting the Engine .177
................
With a Dead Battery . 238
..............
State Emissions Testing . 263
........
Steam Coming f rom Engine . 236
Steering Wheel ..................................
Adjustment .78
.............
Anti-theft Column Lock . 80
...................
Stereo Sound System . 117....................
Storing Your Vehicle .227
........................
Sunglasses Holder .108
....
Supplemental Restraint System . 22
......................................
Servicing .28
...............................
SRS Indicator .26
...................
System Components . 22
Index
T
VII